I need new spiritual glasses that
see in the dark.
I often find myself in black
circumstances, struggling with health or relationships or choices, and when I
realize I have been stumbling about I am often confounded by where I find
myself. My vision has blurred. I squint but can hardly see the shadow of God
moving. I try to follow but become distracted, then I stub my big toe on
whatever circumstance has befallen me, and the pain shoots through my heart and
mind.
In those times, I am not the least
bit happy. I begin to complain and whine about my situation. I slip away from
God’s footsteps and the path He leads me on, falling into the ditch to wallow
in the mud of self-pity.
Yes, I’ve decided I need new
spiritual glasses so I can see my way through those ever-present dark times.
Not like sunglasses, that shade my eyes from stark reality, but Son-glasses
with infra-red lenses that show Christ’s blood awash over my life; God’s fingerprints
in, through and over all the situations I find myself in.
Do you need this
sight as well? Do you know where we can get
optics like that?
The words of Paul in Romans 12:12
provides a prescription for spiritual glasses that see in the dark.
"Rejoice
in hope,
be
patient in tribulation,
be
constant in prayer."
Like my last prescription for new bifocal
lenses, I had difficulty seeing with understanding at first, so I
needed to study each word of this verse. My interpretation is this:
Be glad. Delight in God because in God you have placed
your trust.
Persevere with no complaining, because God is with you even in
the struggles.
Continually converse with God
because God is worthy of
thanks and adoration.
That makes it clear, doesn’t it? You
see, it’s all about focus.
I know these spiritual spectacles
are not easy to wear even when life is going well, so it’s no surprise that, like
bifocals, it may take time to adjust to rejoicing, not complaining, and
thanking God during difficult circumstances. The discipline to do so will
chafe, especially those places right on top of my nose that are easily seen or
just behind the ear that are less obvious to others. I will want to stop what I know is
best because I feel the pain and discomfort.
However, I know the more I wear
them, the more I will become accustomed to the fit and to the clarity of sight.
I believe that as I delight, continue, and faithfully trust God day in and day out,
I will be able to wear these spiritual glasses even when I find myself in times
of dismay.
This prescription will light up
God’s path for me through any circumstance. Focusing on this view will show me
all that I have to praise God for. I will see, by faith, that I can trust God
to lead me, to hold my hand in the darkness just as He does in the light.
When I refuse to focus on my
circumstances but choose instead to capture thoughts of discontent and squish
them, like bugs, between Christ’s death on the cross and His rising from the
grave, I am delighted, not dismayed. I won’t need to complain to everyone who
will listen. Whining is packed away as I look forward with excitement to the
adventure God is taking me on. I will quietly discuss with Him all my questions
and observances. Step by step I will continue focusing on life with God.
His glory lights the way. I do trust He has a good plan for me, despite
the difficult trail I have stumbled along.
When my spiritual eyes focus on God,
I cannot help but delight in Him.
I can focus on the hope that
salvation provides, and so rejoice.
God
holds my future.
I can carry on, step by step,
without stopping and without complaining, because I am not alone.
God
holds my hand.
I can constantly converse with and
adore God, because He shows His love over and over.
God
holds my heart.
As I learn to wear these spiritual
glasses that focus on God, I may still stub my big toe in the dark, but through
faith I will not lose sight of the One who walks with me, holding my hand.
